Heavy Vehicle National Law - Queensland Class 3 Tandem Drive Axle (Cane Haulout Truck) Flotation Tyres Mass Exemption Notice 2022 (No. 1)

Overview

The Queensland Class 3 Tandem Drive Axle (Cane Haulout Truck) Flotation Tyres Mass Exemption Notice 2022 (No. 1) was enacted to provide an exemption from certain mass requirements for cane haulout trucks fitted with flotation tyres operating within Queensland. This exemption notice, replacing its predecessor from 2017, was made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and commences on 1 July 2022, expiring on 30 June 2027. The policy objective of this notice is to facilitate the efficient transport of sugar cane from fields to mills or transport facilities, while maintaining safety standards through specific conditions and requirements, such as the maintenance of tyre inflation pressure and axle mass loading records, and compliance with the mass and speed limit ratings for flotation tyres. The notice applies to cane haulout trucks transporting sugar cane within a 40km radius of the field to a nominated transport facility or mill, or returning to a home base, commencing new operations, travelling for maintenance or repairs, or inspections or registration, provided the vehicle is unladen. Eligible vehicles must adhere to a mass limit of 16.5t on the tandem axle drive group and comply with the National Code of Practice Heavy Vehicle Modifications. This exemption is intended to address operational challenges faced by cane haulout truck operators while ensuring that safety and regulatory standards are upheld.

Scope and Application

The Queensland Class 3 Tandem Drive Axle (Cane Haulout Truck) Flotation Tyres Mass Exemption Notice 2022 (No. 1) applies to cane haulout trucks that are fitted with specific flotation tyres and are used for transporting sugar cane from fields to mills or transportation points within a 40 km radius in Queensland, as well as for unladen return trips, new operations, maintenance, repairs, inspections, or registration. This Notice, which replaces the 2017 version, applies to vehicles in Queensland and sets out specific conditions that must be met for the exemption to apply. The exemption pertains to certain mass requirements outlined in Schedule 1 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. However, the exemption is subject to conditions, including a limit on the mass of the tandem axle drive group to 16.5t, adherence to mass and speed limit ratings for the flotation tyres, and compliance with the National Code of Practice Heavy Vehicle Modifications. Operators of eligible vehicles must also maintain records of tyre inflation pressures and axle mass loadings for each journey. The Notice is applicable to all roads in Queensland and requires that eligible vehicles have a tandem axle drive group fitted with the specified flotation tyres. Additionally, the operator must ensure compliance with vehicle modifications, specifically adhering to Modification Code D3 unless an exception applies. The Notice sets out clear guidelines to ensure that while the vehicles are exempt from certain mass requirements, they still operate safely and within prescribed limits. The Notice also includes specific mass and speed limit ratings for the tyres and requires record-keeping to manage the identified risks effectively. This Notice is made under the Heavy Vehicle National Law and comes into effect on 1 July 2022, expiring on 30 June 2027.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Queensland Class 3 Tandem Drive Axle (Cane Haulout Truck) Flotation Tyres Mass Exemption Notice 2022 (No. 1) (the Notice) provide exemptions from certain mass requirements for cane haulout trucks fitted with flotation tyres in Queensland. Section 8 exempts eligible vehicles from specific mass requirements under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, while Section 9 imposes conditions on the mass of the tandem axle drive group and compliance with tyre ratings. The Notice applies to cane haulout trucks transporting sugar cane or returning to base, travelling for maintenance or repairs, or for inspections or registration, provided the vehicle is unladen, within a 40km radius of the origin point, and operating in Queensland (Section 7). Eligible vehicles must comply with mass and speed limit ratings for flotation tyres, maintain written records of tyre inflation pressure and axle mass loading, and comply with vehicle modification standards unless certain exceptions apply (Sections 9, 12, and 13). The Notice imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Operators of eligible vehicles must maintain written records demonstrating how risks are managed for each journey, including tyre inflation pressure and axle mass loading (Section 12). Additionally, cane haulout trucks fitted with flotation tyres must comply with specific mass limits and tyre ratings, as well as vehicle modification standards, unless certain exceptions apply (Sections 9 and 13). The Notice also requires that the vehicles operate within Queensland and adhere to the specified conditions and requirements for the exemption to apply. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Notice may result in civil or criminal consequences. While specific penalties are not outlined in the Notice, breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law or associated regulations may lead to fines, disqualification from driving heavy vehicles, and potential criminal charges for serious or repeated breaches. The maximum penalties for offences under the Heavy Vehicle National Law can vary depending on the nature and severity of the breach, but may include substantial fines and imprisonment for individuals, as well as fines for body corporates.